Structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of Ni substituted zinc ferrite

• NixZn1−xFe2O4 (where x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) can be prepared by the standard double sintering ceramic method.
• Influence of nickel content on structural, morphological and magnetic properties has been studied in detail.
• Also the influence of nickel content on electrical properties has been studied in detail.

NixZn1−xFe2O4 ferrite has been synthesized by the ceramic method using Ni CO3, ZnO, Fe2O3 precursors. The influence of Ni content on the structural, morphological, electrical and magnetic properties of NixZn1−xFe2O4 ferrites is studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the samples are polycrystalline with spinel cubic structure. The SEM images of NixZn1−xFe2O4 ferrite show that the grain size decreases with an increase in the Ni content. The tetrahedral and octahedral vibrations in the samples are studied by IR spectra. Frequency dependence of dielectric constant shows dielectric dispersion due to the Maxwell–Wagner type of interfacial polarization. Conduction mechanism due to polarons has been analyzed by measuring the AC conductivity. Impedance spectroscopy is used to study the electrical behavior. Magnetic properties of NixZn1−xFe2O4 are studied by using hysteresis loop measurement. The maximum value of saturation magnetization of 132.8 emu/g obtained for the composition, x=0.8, is attributed to magnetic moment of Fe3+ ions.